The best rugged laptops of 2019: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside

If you work in the field, and you need a computer that can handle the roughest and most dangerous environments – if you need a laptop that will get subjected to extreme temperatures and weather, you’re going to need one of these rugged laptops.

We scoured the internet for the best laptops that can take a beating, and the best rugged laptops can handle basically anything you can throw at them – literally.

The top rugged laptops will have rigid, durable builds that can withstand high pressure, extreme drops and even exposure to liquid without a worry. You shouldn’t have to worry even if you drop it off a building into a lake – as long as you fish it out fast enough.

But, keep in mind that the best rugged laptops still have to be good at, well, being laptops. They need enough horsepower to get you through your day – what good is a beefy laptop if it doesn’t help you get your work done, right?

So, whether you work on a busy work site, spend a lot of time in the most dangerous places on Earth, or if you’re just kind of clumsy, we’ll help you find the best rugged laptops on the market. We’ve even included our exclusive price comparison tool, so that you can spend less time shopping for the best rugged laptop, and more time saving.

If you want an extremely rugged laptop, you’re going to want the Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme – it’s in the name. And, while it’s a bit old right now, it’s still a well-designed rugged laptop that meets military standard requirements. It features a rigid magnesium alloy build, shock absorbent case, is IP65 certified against dust, sand and water – it can even handle extreme temperatures. Like the rest of Dell’s catalog, you can configure the dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme however you like.

This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33

Image Credit: Dell

Dell may be a mainstream laptop manufacturer, but it still makes the best rugged laptops around. The Dell Latitude 14 Rugged is a fantastic machine that combines a tough outer shell with components that are pretty powerful for the category – including an Intel Core i5 processor and dedicated AMD Radeon graphics. The display looks decent, with a matte finish that makes it comfortable to use outdoors – which is probably where you’ll use it. It’s the less ‘extreme’ version of the Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme which sits at the top of our list of the best rugged laptops.

This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33

Image Credit: Panasonic

If you want one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but you don’t want something that feels like it’s going to snap in half the first chance it gets – the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is for you. This 2-in-1 has a flexibility that most rugged laptops just don’t. If you need something that’s easy to carry while you do stock takes and jot down notes, then tablet mode will work wonders. Then, if you need to type up some documents, you can attach the keyboard and comfortably type away. It may be expensive, but it’s one of the only 2-in-1 laptops that can actually take a beating.

Image Credit: HP

You might think the HP ProBook x360 11 G1 EE is a normal laptop at first glance. However, once you dive deeper, you’ll see there’s more than meets the eye. While it isn’t designed for big drops and dangerous environments, it's still one of the best rugged laptops for most everyday users – it’s built to withstand more knocks, drops and liquids than the everyday laptop. This is due to an industrial rubberised body, spill resistant keyboard and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 display. It’s not going to be as robust as some of the other rugged laptops on this list, but it’s easily portable and the screen can be flipped – making it a rugged 2-in-1 laptop.

Image Credit: Lenovo

Similar to the HP ProBook x360 we mentioned earlier, the Lenovo ThinkPad 11e is more like a standard laptop that just so happens to be a bit rugged. Still, you can just tell that Lenovo has put effort into the construction of this device, as it includes more robust inputs, and can survive drops of up to 90cm. It also features military specifications, that make this a laptop that can survive the harshest conditions. What’s more, it’s affordable, while still offering enough processing power for everyday tasks.